Ankaragucu kicked off their 2017/18 League campaign with a goalless draw at home to Erzerumspor. The club managed to lift the transfer ban yesterday which meant the new signings were all free to play. Only Alihan, Korcan and Ferhat started the game from last seasons squad. The club also completed the signings of Cheikhou Dieng from Basaksehir and Erdem Ozgenc from Bursaspor. Also completing his move was Mahmut Akan from Karabukspor.
Team - Korcan Celikay, Yusuf Abdioglu, Gencer Cansev, Alihan Kubalas, Mehmet Sak, Arif Morkaya, Mbamba Kibong, Ferhat Culcuoglu, Cheikhou Dieng, Ferhat Kiraz, Ilhan Parlak
Subs - Emre Koyuncu, Altay Bayindir, Mert Aydemir, Kenan Özer, Alaaddin Okumus, Enes Kubat, Muharrem Ozan, Erdem Ozgenc, Sercan Kaya, Mahmut Akan
A decent crowd despite Passolig of just over 8,000 were in attendance tonight, however there were about 12,000 missing from last seasons numbers. A small part of that was due to it being a Friday night game, but the major issue was a Passolig. Unfortunateley unless you sign up you can't get into the stadium. The fans who did turn up yet again made a fantastic atmosphere.
With 8 new players starting for Ankaragucu the fans got a taste of what is to come and it looks like the big focus will be on improving the attacking play. The team have now went 5 games without scoring a goal if you include pre season.
The first chance of the game came for Ankaragucu and it was a free kick from Ferhat Kiraz which was easily saved by Kaya in the Erzerum goal after 2 minutes.
Ten minutes in and Erzerumspor should have taken the lead. Hamza Younes just had Korcan to beat but he somehow miss hit his shot and fired high and wide. Replays showed he was clearly offside but it would have counted.
Gokhan Karadeniz fired a shot wide of goal on the 18th minute from outside the box as Erzerum were starting to look dangerous.
One of the most frustrating aspects of Ankaragücü's play tonight was the decision making and final ball. On 25 minutes Mbamba broke free in midfield and drove forward with a man at each side. Ferhat was free on the left and was in a great position but he played the ball out to the right and the move came to nothing.
Mbamba was impressive with his power and was the main driving force going forward from midfield. He wasted the ball far to often though and will need to work on this moving forward.
Then the main talking point of the first half came just a minute later. A mistake in the Erzerum defence let Ilhan Parlak in who rounded the keeper and his shot on goal was cleared with a handball. Unfortunately neither the referee or linesmen saw it and the penalty appeals were denied.
The score remained 0-0 going into half time which was a fair result with both sides having a chance each to open the scoring.
Only a minute into the second half and Hamza Younes had another chance but again fired his shot wide of the post with only Korcan to beat.
Ankaragucu nearly took the lead on the 61st minute through and own goal but the ball went wide of the post. Then on the 78th minute Ferhat Culcuoglu played a nice ball through for Ilhan Parlak but again he fired his shot wide and was having a similar night to Hamza Younes.
Erzerumspor had one more chance late on from Lokmon whose bullet header was just over the bar much to the delight of the concerned Ankaragucu fans behind the goal.
So week 1 and a share of the points which was a fair result and I think both sides will be happy. Ankaragucu will be delighted with their defensive display and it looks like Gencer Cansev, Arif Morkaya and Yusuf Abdioglu are all nice additions in that area. Mehmet Sak also impressed at left back.
In attack the team will be hoping Lanre Kehinde and Nduka Ozokwu return to action soon and add much needed firepower.
Some news just in from Muhammed Erdogan at Sporanki, he has advised the club are set to sign Gaziantepspor playmaker and Belarusian international Anton Putsila in the coming days. The club will also look to sign another defender.
Next up for Ankaragucu will be a tough away match at Altinordu next weekend. Yusuf Abdioglu and Arif Morkaya will face their former clubs.
Actual attendance was 6,500
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm pleased I was made to eat my words. I was fearing the worst, but according to Nadeem's report there is grounds for some optimism. I'm sorry to say that I had to miss this match but be sure I'll be up for the next home match in 2 weeks time. In the meantime, Head Coach has some work to do this week at the Training Centre !!
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